The US Supreme court has ruled against an American oil drilling company,Helmerich & Payne, which claimed Venezuela unlawfully seized 11 drillingrigs in 2010.

A unanimous Supreme Court decision on Monday gave the government ofVenezuela another chance to fend off the lawsuit alleging that Caracasillegally seized 11 oil drilling rigs from the Oklahoma-based company in2010, according to AP<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article147804624.html>.

The justices ruled 8-0 that the lower courts set the bar too low inallowing the lawsuit, brought by Helmerich & Payne InternationalDrilling Company, to move forward.

Post by jatSupreme Court sides with Venezuela over American oil rigs dispute

(snip)"Foreign countries are generally immune from lawsuits in the U.S., but afederal statute makes an exception in certain cases when privateproperty is seized.Writing for the court, Justice Stephen Breyer said companies must make astronger argument at the outset of a case that property was actuallytaken in violation of international law."http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article147804624.html